Kerala Blasters: Three possible punishments Kerala can face after ISL walkout

It all happened after a controversial free-kick goal that Bengaluru’s Sunil Chhetri scored. The Indian captain took his shot while the Blasters players were arranging the wall, but the referee allowed the goal and that boiled a heated argument with the referee first, and subsequently, the Kerala Blasters manager Ivan Vukomanovic called his team out of the pitch.

Bengaluru FC were announced winners after the completion of the allotted time and they will now be facing Mumbai City FC in the semi-final.

But for Kerala and their shocking way of protesting, things can get further gloomy for them. It was a bizarre reaction by them and they have garnered both support and criticism after their act. It was the first walkout in the history of ISL and fair to say, it was an unfortunate and disappointing incident.

And the Indian Super League and AIFF can impose a stern punishment for the Manjappada in the coming days. The apex body of Indian football hasn’t yet made any comments regarding the matter, but the Kerala team can get a punishment in the coming days.

Watch: Sunil Chhetri goal that created the controversy –

.@chetrisunil11‘s goal helps @bengalurufc reach the #HeroISL 2022-23 semi-finals where they will face league winners #MumbaiCityFC!

Watch the full highlights! ????#BFCKBFC #HeroISLPlayoffs #LetsFootball #BengaluruFC #KeralaBlasters

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 4, 2023

What punishment can Kerala Blasters get?

Here are the possible punishments Kerala Blasters can face in the coming days-

Point Deduction:

Kerala Blasters can face a possible point deduction for their forfeiting. Had it been in the middle of the season, it would have been a strong possibility, but the AIFF can still impose a point deduction next season to the Blasters. Their season ended with the defeat at Bengaluru, but they may start the league next season with some points (e.g. -5, -10 points) already deducted.

It previously happened to ATK Mohun Bagan, when they walked out from an I-league match against East Bengal in 2012.

Fine:

This is going to happen at some sort of time. Leaving the football pitch in the middle of a game is a big offence and ISL is likely going to impose a monetary fine on the Kerala Blasters for their amazing way of protesting a refereeing decision.

Expulsion from the ISL:

This is a serious matter but obviously a possibility for Kerala Blasters. Walking out from a football match is a grave matter, although the Blasters have a case to defend, but forfeiting the game is a disrespect to the fans, the club, the tournament and the game as a whole. Hence ISL can take the step to expel Kerala Blasters from the top-flight for a significant amount of time.

It can simply be a season ban, or the Blasters may get relegated to the second division and will have to earn their way back to the ISL again.

There are many possibilities of the extent and the magnitude of punishments that Kerala Blasters can face in the coming days. It was a controversial incident without a doubt, but the Kerala Blasters manager took the matter too far. At the time when calm heads were needed, a rush of blood and immense emotional overhaul led to this unpretty incident.